Sunday, May 2, 2010

Baha'u'llah's Twigs and Stones

In her important and interesting book, Anita Ioas Chapman recounts a story told by her distinguished father, the Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas. Mr. Ioas related a dream that his Baha'i friend Albert Windust had had, many years before. In this dream, Mr. Windust "saw `Abdu'l-Baha working very diligently, going to and fro, searching the ground, picking up a twig here, and few pieces of straw there, and finally with these bits and pieces making something with a little shape and form. Albert wrote to the Master asking the meaning of his dream, and `Abdu'l-Baha replied: 'I have been commanded to build the Temple of the Lord and I build it with what God gives me!' Leroy concluded his talk, 'Friends, you and I are those twigs, we are those stones, we are those scraps, and the Master is working to shape something out of us. Why should we, unknown and incapable, be quickened by the power of this great spirit and come alive in this day when millions are dying and deprived of spiritual insight? I don't know, and you don't know, but there is only one thing we can do in return for these great gifts and that is to dedicate our lives, purify our deeds, and allow ourselves to become dynamic vehicles which God can use to quicken society...'"

("Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God," by Anita Ioas Chapman, published by George Ronald, ISBN: 978-0-85398-426-9, page 159) This book can be purchased here.